Alphonse and Gaston

From the name of an American comic strip and its characters, featuring a bumbling pair of Frenchmen with a penchant for politeness.

Alphonse and Gaston

1. (attributive) A situation where two people or entities are waiting for each other to proceed, so that neither can take action.
   • 1981, Bob Evatt, FLOWMAP, page 52:

     I have noticed myself that even for a single cyclist Palo Alto motorists are too well-wishing, creating the Alphonse and Gaston syndrome that neither will proceed at minor intersections.

   • 2009 September 23, New York Times, editorial:

     For years, China and the United States have engaged in a dangerous Alphonse-and-Gaston routine, using each other's inaction to shirk their responsibility.

   • 2014, Richard Adler, Mack, McGraw and the 1913 Baseball Season, page 108:

     Collins hit a fly ball, and this time Cobb and Veach did the "Alphonse and Gaston" act, with Collins making it to third base.

• after you, Alphonse

• deadlock